MISSOURI
San Francisco Chronicle
By CHRIS BLANK, Associated Press
Updated 5:01 pm, Thursday, January 3, 2013
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri task force focused on preventing child sex abuse released nearly two dozen recommendations Thursday that included training, awareness, mental health services and changes to state law.
Joy Oesterly, executive director of Missouri KidsFirst and the task force’s leader, said it will take a combination of the ideas to make a significant difference. She said implementing the changes will require cooperation from lawmakers, organizations and others.
“Child sexual abuse is a very complex issue, and to think that there is one thing that will solve this problem is unrealistic,” she said.
A 2011 law created the 14-member task force, which included legislators, law enforcement officers, advocates, education officials and others. Its report included 22 recommendations and was submitted to the governor, the Legislature and the State Board of Education.
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